There used to be something about Servite, marching out from the locker room with locked arms and bagpipes playing; and then former head coach Troy Thomas would shadow box and strike immense fear in the opponent.
That all was before the opening kickoff.
Those days are over. The bagpipes are gone and so is Thomas, who's entering his second season in his return to Crespi.
Servite, once the class of the PAC-5, winning back-to-back division titles and a state bowl, has had to go through a bit of a rebuild in recent years.
The Friars went 3-7 in 2012 --Thomas' last season. His successor, A.J. Gass, led the team to a 6-6 record last season in his inaugural campaign.
This season there are many who believe the Friars are the top team in the state, which is No. 4 on our list of "15 Reasons to Get Excited for the 2014 CIF-SS High School Football Season."
Led by star quarterback Travis Waller, an Oregon commit, stud offensive lineman Clayton Johnston, who's committed to USC, talented wideout Equanimeous St. Brown and two-way talent Maurice Davison -- both of whom are uncommitted but have their share of offers -- the Friars are expected to be much improved.
All of the expectations surrounding the team entering this season will be tested out of the gate when the Friars host national power Las Vegas Bishop Gorman at 7:30 p.m. Friday on Prime Ticket.
15 reasons to get excited for 2014 CIF-SS season
